Uh oh, Ohio State's No. 1 again

Ohio State is No. 1 and some Buckeyes fans are probably feeling torn. Being No. 1: Is that good or bad?

On one hand, who wouldn't want their favorite team acclaimed as the best in the land? Then again, things haven't turned out so well recently when the Buckeyes were leaders of the pack.

The Buckeyes (6-0), ranked second all season to Alabama, took advantage of the Crimson Tide's 35-21 loss at South Carolina to ascend to the top spot in the latest Associated Press rankings released Sunday.

Coach Jim Tressel didn't put a whole lot of stock in being No. 1 with the season just half over.

"You take a look at the top 10 week to week and the precarious nature of any ranking is obvious," he said Sunday after the Buckeyes beat out Oregon and Boise State to take over the top spot. "Just review the change in the makeup of the Top 10 between the beginning of the season until now."

The Buckeyes have a lot of experience being No. 1. It's just that not all of those are experiences are positive ones.

A lot of fans were fed up seeing No. 1-ranked Ohio State teams in the national title games after the 2006 and 2007 seasons - and getting humiliated both times.

Being ranked high is nothing new at Ohio State. The Buckeyes have finished in the AP's top 10 every year since 2005 and seven of the last eight seasons. They have been made 91 consecutive appearances in the AP Top 25, the longest current streak in the nation.

The Buckeyes won AP titles in 1942, 1954, 1968 and in Tressel's second year on the job in 2002. That last team sidestepped a season of close calls while going 14-0, winning seven times by a touchdown or less. But that team wasn't No. 1 until the very end, capping a season of drama with a Miami 31-24 upset in double-overtime over top-ranked Miami.

The Buckeyes then spent all the 2006 regular season atop the AP poll. With Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Troy Smith leading the way, they rolled through 12 opponents.

There were many who did not think Florida, which slipped through the year with a 12-1 record, could compete with the Buckeyes in the Bowl Championship Series title game in Glendale, Ariz. After Ohio State's Ted Ginn Jr. returned the opening kickoff 93 yards for a touchdown, those assumptions seemed on the mark.

But Ginn was injured by a teammate during the ensuing end zone celebration and it was the unbeaten Buckeyes who didn't belong in the title game. Florida destroyed them, 41-14, with Smith and a star-studded offense of future NFL players amassing just 82 yards of total offense.

A year later, the Buckeyes were again No. 1 in the final regular season AP poll - but this time they needed lots of help.

Ranked No. 1 most of the season again, Ohio State plummeted to eighth in the BCS rankings after a stunning 28-21 loss at home to Illinois on Nov. 10. But all the teams in front of them lost in upsets or conference championship games and the Buckeyes found themselves atop the BCS poll heading into the bowl season.

The Jan. 7, 2008, BCS title game at the Louisiana Superdome was another debacle for Ohio State. Again the Buckeyes got off to a fast start, taking a 10-0 lead, before twice-beaten LSU ran off 38 of the next 45 points to coast to a 38-24 victory.

"It's a disappointment for our fans," Ohio State wide receiver Brian Hartline said after that loss. "Everyone has supported us and did a great job of traveling. I wish I could put them all in one room and apologize to them."

That final poll of the 2007 regular season was the last time Ohio State was No. 1 in the AP rankings.

Now they're back to try to prove that they can live up to that No. 1 status.

Looming next is a huge game at No. 18 Wisconsin on Saturday.

"The Buckeyes know what it's like to have a target on our back, especially since we are now well into Big Ten play," Tressel said. "We expect that every team will give us its best shot. How we respond will determine our ultimate ranking.

Wife Allowed to Meet Jailed Chinese Nobel Winner

Wife says she had tearful meeting with China's imprisoned Nobel Peace Prize winner.

An imprisoned Chinese dissident who won this year's Nobel Peace Prize was allowed to meet Sunday with his wife and told her in tears that he was dedicating the award to victims of a 1989 military crackdown on pro-democracy protesters, his wife and a close friend said.

Liu Xia, the wife of democracy campaigner Liu Xiaobo, said in a Twitter message that his jailers had informed him a day earlier of his prize.

"Brothers, I have returned," Liu wrote. "Seen Xiaobo, the prison told him the news about his award on the night of the 9th."

The Twitter message was verified by a close friend and dissident Wang Jinbo, who wrote in another Twitter message that Liu Xia had told him she was unable to meet the media or friends because of tight security. Wang declined to be interviewed.

Half a dozen men blocked the entrance to Liu's apartment in Beijing on Sunday night, ordering reporters out of the compound. A U.S. group that serves as Liu Xiaobo's international counsel, Freedom Now, deplored Liu Xia's detention in her own home.

U.S. soul ‘king’ Solomon Burke dies at Amsterdam airport

 Grammy award-winning U.S. singer Solomon Burke, crowned “the King of Rock and Soul” during a career spanning five decades, was pronounced dead Sunday at Amsterdam airport. He was 70 years old.

A spokeswoman for The Netherlands’ Amsterdam-Schipol airport confirmed that Burke had died but could not say whether he had died during his flight from Los Angeles or after he arrived at the airport.

“I can confirm that Solomon Burke is dead,” spokeswoman Antoinette Spaans told AFP.

Burke, whose songs found new audiences through the soundtracks for movies such as “The Blues Brothers” and “Dirty Dancing”, was to have given a concert in Amsterdam’s Paradiso venue on Tuesday with Dutch group De Dijk, with whom he has recorded an album.

An ordained church minister, Burke continued to sing and perform around the world. In recent interviews, he had made clear that he had no intention of retiring despite celebrating his 70th birthday.

“I’m still on a journey walking up the King’s Highway, carrying that seed of hope and spreading that word that love is the answer,” he told the USA Today newspaper.

Born on March 21, 1940 in Philadelphia, the rhythm ‘n blues star was most famous for “Everybody Needs Somebody to Love” which was recorded by the Rolling Stones and became the hit song from the 1980 film “The Blues Brothers”.

His style was largely gospel and sometimes country, while his youthful voice and performances were similar to those of the late soul legend, James Brown.

Burke was father to 21 children and had 90 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren, according to his official website, which lists the late Pope John Paul II as among his fans.

He was also a preacher and ran a funeral agency.

The singer recorded his first album “Christmas Present from Heaven” in 1956 and it sold a million copies.

Between 1961 and 1968, Burke released 32 singles with Atlantic Records. He continued to record and perform in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s.

The legendary Atlantic Records producer Jerry Wexler as described Burke as “the best soul singer of all time”.

In 2001 Burke was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the same year as Michael Jackson and Paul Simon, which says on its website that his “versatile, force-of-nature voice combines gospel fervor, country gentility and R&B grit.”

The following year, Burke was awarded a Grammy for the best blues album for “Don’t Give Up On Me”.

Ponting revives Australia in final India Test

Bangalore: Australian captain Ricky Ponting hit a gutsy 77 to steer his faltering team out of trouble on the opening day of the second and final Test against India on Saturday. Ponting's 54th half-century helped the tourists survive a middle-order collapse to reach 285-5 by stumps in front of 20,000 boisterous home fans at the Chinnaswamy stadium.

Marcus North was unbeaten on 43 and wicket-keeper Tim Paine was on eight when bad light halted play 4.1 overs early. Australia are seeking a series-levelling win after they lost the dramatic first Test in Mohali by one wicket.

Shane Watson and Simon Katich gave the tourists a flying start with an opening stand of 99 after Ponting won the toss and elected to bat in overcast conditions. Watson hit 57, his third successive half-century in the series, and Katich made 43 on a moisture-laden wicket that afforded movement to the seamers and turn for the spinners.

Indian spinners Harbhajan Singh and Pragyan Ojha turned the tables in the post-lunch session, grabbing three wickets for 33 runs as Australia stumbled to 132-3.

Ponting led his team's revival by adding 66 for the fourth wicket with Michael Hussey (34) and 58 for the fifth with North. Ponting, who hit 12 boundaries, was dismissed in the final session when he missed a straight ball from part-time spinner Suresh Raina and was declared leg-before.

"That wicket by Raina helped us greatly because Ponting was playing so well," said Indian batsman Virender Sehwag. "The important thing now is to dismiss Australia cheaply and then put on a big score because the wicket is good and it will help batting over the next two days."

Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni enjoyed a mixed day in the field after losing his 10th successive toss in Test cricket.

Watson, who scored 126 and 56 in the first Test, made light of the heavy conditions to build on his good form. But he was stunned by Ponting's dismissal. "He was batting so beautifully, there's no doubt he will be pretty frustrated," said Watson of his captain.

"It was an important innings for him to set up some partnerships with Mike Hussey and Marcus North for a while there. Marcus is looking very good. It will be very nice for him and for the team to be able to post a good score, because it is a really nice batting wicket and we need a good total."

Katich fell in the first over after resumption when, having hit the third ball from Harbhajan for a boundary, he edged the fifth to Rahul Dravid at first slip.

Watson departed seven overs later when he attempted to cut left-arm spinner Ojha and edged a sharp catch to Dhoni behind the stumps. Michael Clarke, who hit a century on debut at the same venue in 2004, made 14 when he edged Harbhajan to short-leg, where Raina dived to his left to take a low catch. Hussey's defiant stand with Ponting ended in the second over after tea when he was caught at gully by Sehwag off Zaheer.

India's Venkatsai Laxman was ruled out of the Test after failing to recover fully from back spasms suffered during his match-winning knock of 73 not out at Mohali.

Laxman was replaced by debutant Cheteshwar Pujara, while opener Murali Vijay and Sreesanth came in for the injured duo of Gautam Gambhir and Ishant Sharma. Australia awarded a Test cap to lanky fast bowler Peter George, who replaced the injured Doug Bollinger.

Israel Satisfied with Arab League Decision on Peace Talks

Arab leaders have described Israel's settlement policies as "very, very negative." But Israel is relieved that they stopped short of abandoning peace talks.

Israeli officials have expressed satisfaction with a decision by the Arab League to give the United States another month to save peace talks with the Palestinians from collapse. Arab foreign ministers meeting in Libya backed a Palestinian demand not to negotiate unless Israel extends a moratorium on settlement construction that expired two weeks ago. But Israel hopes that in the next month, the U.S. can hammer out a compromise. 

"We are working very seriously with the United States to try to insure that the direct talks that started between us and the Palestinians continue," said Israeli spokesman Mark Regev. 

Israel has rejected U.S. and Palestinian demands to extend the moratorium, throwing the peace process into crisis. But under an emerging deal, Israel would extend the settlement freeze for two months in exchange for American security guarantees. That could lead to the resumption of peace talks between Israel and the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank.

A return to the negotiating table would not be in the interest of the rival Palestinian militant group Hamas that rules the Gaza Strip. Hamas, which refuses to renounce violence or recognize Israel, accused the Arab League of letting Israel off the hook.  

Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh said peace talks with Israel have only led to political paralysis and are a waste of time. He called on Palestinians in both Gaza and the West Bank to resist the Israeli occupation.

How to Interpret 10/10/10 aka 10-10-10; Sunday, October 10, 2010. And a Metaphysics Experiment

10/10/10; Sunday, October 10, 2010: Introduction

Welcome random search engine visitor. Many philosophies believe that you somehow ended up on this page for a reason. It is not known if it is the result of predestination, random chance, fate, a higher power, or something else.

This article provides a synopsis of the possible implications of the 10/10/10 date singularity, and of the number ten; followed by a quick metaphysics experiment.

Reference List: 101010, Mathematics, Binary, Chaos Theory, Fractals, Psychology.

Reference List: Metaphysics, Paranormal, Fate, Destiny, Random Chance, a Higher Power.

Reference List: Prediction, Predictions.

10/10/10; Sunday, October 10, 2010: Mathematics

101010 (base two (binary)) equals 42 (base ten). Oddly enough, this is evenly divisible by the number of days in a week (7 (lucky)); and equally oddly, is also evenly divisible by the number 6 (which is generally designated as being unlucky). Both a Ying and Yang situation seem to be incorporated into this date.

10 (base ten) = 1010 (base two)

(base ten): 10 x 10 = 100

(base two): 10 x 10 = 100

The binary attributes of 101010 lends itself to use by the sciences of fractals (recursive geometric shapes) and chaos theory (the butterfly effect).

10/10/10; Sunday, October 10, 2010: Psychology

The number ten seems to give people that warm, fuzzy feeling:

“I won TEN thousand dollars!”

“I got TEN things done today.”

Then of course, there are the ever ubiquitous Top Ten lists. The top Top-Ten lists are (in no particular order):

Top Ten To Do, Top Ten Reasons, Top Ten Links/Websites, Top Ten Music/Songs, Top Ten Movies, Top Ten Headlines, Top Ten Jokes, Top Ten Mistakes, Late Show Top Ten, Top Ten Reviews/Lists.

10/10/10; Sunday, October 10, 2010: Historical

Even when taking into account the differences between the Gregorian and Julian calendars:

Nothing significant appears to have happened a thousand years ago during the year 1010.

Nothing significant appears to have happened two thousand years ago during the year 10.

The Dark Ages spanned the 5th to 15th centuries (approximately 450 -1450).

10/10/10; Sunday, October 10, 2010: Singularity Summary

Most predictions and opinions concerning 10/10/10 are based on or are rooted in its mathematical uniqueness as a number.

101010: There are three possible outcomes:

1. Something good happens— There is absolutely no scientific basis for this belief. There are no known logical premises for this belief. The belief that something good will happen is based solely on spiritualism, faith, and/or innate optimism. This belief is not necessarily a bad thing; we don’t know everything; the probability is not zero.

2. Nothing happens— This is the most likely scenario. Just because an unusual date number sequence occurs doesn’t mean that something will happen. Usually it’s a non-event.

3. Something bad happens— There is absolutely no scientific basis for this belief. There are no known logical premises for this belief. The belief that something bad will happen is based solely on pessimism of reality. This belief is not necessarily false; after all, things are generally/usually a mess. The probability is not zero.

US security expert shoots down 10/10/10 fears

WASHINGTON: Computer security firm Sophos has shot down rumors that a "10/10/10" virus will strike computers at 10:00 a.m. on Sunday -- October 10, 2010.

"It's just the kind of scare that people love to murmur about, and share with their online friends, but I'm afraid it has no basis in fact," Sophos' Graham Cluley wrote in a blog post.

"Focusing on particular dates is not the way to keep your computer protected against malware attack," Cluley said.

"The truth is that there is malicious software which triggers every day of the year -- so worrying about one particular date or time is actually counter-productive, as it implies that you should take less care on other dates," he said.

"The reason why the 10th October has received a little more attention is because of the cute quirk of the numbers reading 10/10/10," he said.

"But even that's not a new idea. For instance, in the run-up to March 3 2003, I had to debunk rumours that the Internet would stop working at 03/03/03," Cluley said.

"The 10/10/10 rumour, just like the 03/03/03 one, is utter codswallop."